Memphis authorities address multiple major cargo theft incidents

Law enforcement agencies in Memphis, Tennessee, have addressed several major cargo theft incidents involving interstate shipments.

In one recent operation, police arrested 12 individuals following the theft of $250,000 worth of chicken from a semi-truck. During the raid at a local motel, authorities recovered three firearms, fentanyl, cocaine, and approximately $110,000 in stolen merchandise.

A federal grand jury has also indicted three individuals for separate cargo theft cases resulting in nearly $600,000 in losses. The charges involve the theft of computer networking switches and various consumer goods, including televisions and tires, from interstate shipments and rail transport.

Additionally, a Memphis man, Gregory Luss, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison and ordered to pay over $420,000 in restitution. Luss was convicted for his involvement in the 2023 theft of a tractor-trailer loaded with Water Pik products intended for Amazon. The incident involved the sale of stolen goods via eBay and a subsequent high-speed pursuit that resulted in multiple vehicle collisions.